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Tips and Tricks to Help Your Home Sell

Make your home look like the new kid on the block

It doesn't matter how new or how old your home is, but with a little elbow grease and a few simple "spruce-ups" you house could look like the home of a buyer's dreams. Most improvements can be easily achieved in little time. Click here to read the entire article.

Sell it a lot faster and make a little more

Investing just a few dollars can help you get the most money for your home. If the carpet looks a little dingy, get it cleaned or replaced if necessary. Put a new coat of paint on the inside and outside if needed. Make small repairs that can appear to be big problems to a potential buyer, such as replacing any thermal windows that are fogged or re-hanging louvered closet doors. These type of repairs payoff because 90 percent of all buyers don’t want to spend the money or effort on fixing up their new home.

Make a great first impression

If your front door makes a really poor first impression, replace it. This is the first thing a potential buyer will see and that will set the tone for the rest of the home tour. If the front door is all right, just make sure it’s freshly painted and clean. Keep your lawn trimmed and edged and get rid of any clutter. Better yet, drive by and try to look at your home’s exterior as if for the first time. If anything seems like it might hinder a buyer, fix it.

Make a clean break

It’s a well known fact – clean houses sell faster. Make sure you have cooperation from everyone in the family to keep their own personal spaces neat and clean. Remember, you never know when the right person is going to come along, so your house needs to always be spotless. That way, you can be ready for a home tour at a moment’s notice.

Get back to wide open space

This is the time to clean out your closets, get rid of clutter and even remove some furniture if it makes your house look cramped. Actually, this is good for you because it gives you a jump start on your move. Hold a garage sale to get rid of those things you don’t need or store boxes and furnishings you won’t be using while your home’s on the market. The more open and less packed the rooms are the more appeal your home has for a potential buyer.

Follow your nose

You may absolutely loved smoked fish or liver and onions but the smell can be a real turn-off for some people. While your home’s for sale, try to prepare foods that don’t leave a lingering odor in the kitchen. Model home decorators know a little cinnamon potpourri simmering on the stove is a great way to give a kitchen a fresh, welcoming sent.

The heart of your home can make the sale

The kitchen is the most used and often the most important room in anyone’s home. Women are often the ultimate decision-makers in what home to buy and the kitchen is the key to whether they like your home. Make sure your kitchen is always spotless, free of dirty dishes and inviting. People even draw conclusions about the condition of the entire house just by looking at your oven. If your refrigerator stays with the home, make sure it’s sparkling as well.

Keep a clean bathroom

Bathrooms are very important to any home sale since buyers look at them very closely. Fix any leaky faucets and make sure the toilet doesn’t continually run. Be sure everyone picks-up their towels and cleans the basins and tubs after each use. New shower curtains are a must and special “guest” towel that are only displayed during showings add a memorable touch as well.

Play it safe

Check every room in your home for hazards like potentially slippery throw rugs or exposed extension cords. Keep stairways clear. If you have a dog or cat, it is best to remove them during any showing because many people are either afraid or allergic.

Use showings for some time away

Potential buyers will whisk through your home if there is a crowd. May feel embarrassed asking what may seem like “personal” questions about how the home functions. Trust your Realtor to do his or her job. After all, they’ve spent a lot of time with these people and can show your home objectively.

Start packing

Once you’ve done all the above the only thing left to do is get ready to move yourself!